From addict to Ms. Mount Rushmore, Mitchell's Danica Miller showcases sobriety through modeling, pageants
May 6—MITCHELL — More than a year ago, Danica Miller was deep in the trenches of drug and alcohol addiction.
During her long battle with addiction, Miller recalls many days not being able to look at herself in the mirror.
Considering what her life looked like over a year ago, the Mitchell native was in disbelief when she was crowned Ms. Mount Rushmore in February during her first pageant.
"I never in a million years thought I would do something like this knowing where I was in the past. I've been in some pretty dark places in my addiction, and it got to a point where I couldn't look people in the eye," Miller said of her struggles with addiction.
As a proud member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Miller has long been an advocate for her fellow Native Americans and Indigenous people. When she entered her first pageant in February, Miller discovered a new platform to help the people who mean the most to her.
"The number one thing for my platform is trying to pave the way for younger Native Americans to be in pageants because there aren't many of us in pageants. Sobriety is the second biggest part of my platform," Miller said. "I want to inspire other people who are struggling with addiction, and let them know there is hope."
At the South Dakota USA Ambassador pageant held in February, Miller's platform caught the attention of the judges. Along with claiming the Ms. Mount Rushmore crown, she won first place in the photogenic category. She competed against contestants from across the state in the age division of 26 and older.
Miller said her performance at the pageant allowed her to reflect on how far the mother of three boys has come over the past 12 months.
"There were moments in my addiction where I didn't think I'd live to see the light of day. I am blessed to have found this passion, and it's also helped become the type of mother I want to be," Miller said.
Prior to entering her first pageant in February, Miller began modeling in 2023, and it provided her an opportunity to explore the world outside of South Dakota and expose the beauty of Native American culture.
"I've formed sisterhoods and friendships with other sober women. When you're an addict, they tell you to find new places and new faces. I've found a lot of new faces and new places," she said.
In September 2023, Miller hopped on a plane for the first time and made her debut on a runway in New York City for Fashion Week. She was chosen along with several Native American models to participate in New York's Fashion Week, which she described as an "unforgettable experience."
"I've never been outside of South Dakota, and getting chosen to walk the runway during Fashion Week allowed me to go to New York City. It was amazing. I can now say I've saw the Brooklyn Bridge," Miller said.
When Miller hit the runway in New York City, all of the fashion wear and dazzling jewelry she showed off was designed and crafted by Native Americans.
As she is preparing for the national USA Ambassador Pageant that will be held in Florida in July, once again, Miller will be donning Native American designed dresses and fashion wear. She is raising money to fund her trip to compete in the national pageant.
"I am a proud Native American, and I'm always looking for ways to show the beauty of our culture. This has been a great way for me to do that," Miller said of exposing more people to Native American culture.
